Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy for neonatal calf diarrhea complex: Effects on calf performance

Todd, C. G.; Millman, S. T.; McKnight, D. R.; Duffield, T. F.; Leslie, K. E.

This study was conducted at the Calf Research Facility, Kemptville Campus, University of Guelph, Kemptville, Ontario, Canada. Space was available for 31 calves on site. Thus, the study was conducted in two 8-wk trials. At 1 to 3 d of age, the calves were transported from their farm of birth to the research site. On arrival, each calf was weighed using a calibrated livestock scale, and its umbilicus was disinfected with 7% tincture of iodine. In addition, 2 mL of Vitamin E-A-D Injectable (300, 100,000, and 10,000 IU/mL, respectively; Servi-Vet Inc., Montreal, Quebec, Canada) and 1 mL of Dystosel Injectable (3 mg/mL of selenium and 136 IU/mL of vitamin E; Pfizer Canada Animal Health Group, Kirkland, Quebec, Canada) were administered intramuscularly to each calf on the left side of the neck, using an 18-gauge, 2.5-cm needle. To determine the uniformity among calves for transfer of maternal immunoglobulins, a blood sample was collected by jugular venipuncture (10-mL Vacutainer without anticoagulant; BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ) on the day of calf arrival. After clotting at room temperature, the sample was centrifuged (1,500 × g for 5 min at room temperature), and serum was harvested and frozen for storage. At a later date, the serum was analyzed for serum total protein (TP) concentration by refractometry (Leica Vet360, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada). Calves were neither castrated nor dehorned during this study.